To Guide Us In These Latter Days

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Brian K. Taylor

Open your heart to the Holy Ghost who bears witness that you are a child of God
Fix this truth in your mind and hold to it
The pedigree of your spirit can be written on a single line - "You are a child of God" I love this. Think about your family history line back to Adam. It's mind-blowing. Now compare that to your spirit's pedigree: You - God. Wow!
Satan tempts with subtle yet viscous attempts
The war over divine identity rages fiercely as Satan's proliferating arsenal it's everywhere! aims to destroy belief in and knowledge of our relationship with God
Coming to know these truths with certainty helps us overcome trials, troubles and afflictions of every kind
Christ's every word and deed reveals the true nature of the Father
"Joseph, this is my beloved Son! Hear Him!" Put your name in there. God is asking you to hear His Son.
Strive to raise a sin-resistant generation
God sanctifies your most difficult days; "Fear not; I am with thee"
Open the Book of Mormon and learn that God does all things for our welfare and happiness...
God walks with us along the covenant path
Give away all your sins to know Him
Cherish your noble birthright

Monday, April 2, 2018

Elder Ballard

These are my notes from watching the session live. Anything in red I added when I listened a second time, green are my thoughts:

Record what you felt in the solemn assembly points out ancient practice in Bible, we are a restored church They kept saying this was an "historic" conference. On the surface it could just mean because we sustained a new prophet and some changes were made in priesthood quorums and how we minister, but is it possible that it's historic and should be recorded for another reason? They said it was a "new chapter" in church history, and Pres. Nelson put a marker on this "time between now and the return of the Savior". Will we look back and say, "this was the beginning of the real and focused push to prepare a zion people to receive the Lord, and we were there!"
new chapter Pres. Nelson is a prophet/president and presides, but Christ is at the head of His own church. Be clear about who is in charge. We "conduct" the work, the prophet is the "presiding" authority on the earth and Christ is at the head. Also, calling him a prophet and president shows that they are two different functions. A prophet speaks for God and a president presides over an organization.
We witness before God that Pres. Nelson is the rightful successor, and to our willingness to hearken to his voice as he receives direction to the Lord. Emphasis on our "receiving" the words of the prophet as the word of the Lord. God's word makes no difference in our lives if we don't receive it. To receive is to accept, believe and act upon.
Known him 60 years and served with him for 33 years; witness the hand of the Lord has prepared him to be the presiding apostle and prophet Here's another title for Pres. Nelson - he is the presiding apostle. We were taught that when the prophet dies, before the new one is sustained, the quorum of the apostles jointly are in charge, with a presiding apostle. The presiding apostle becomes the new prophet. Pres. Nelson said he never dreamed he'd live to occupy this seat since there were four apostles in front of him that were younger than he was. As time goes by, we'll see more and more evidence of how Pres. Nelson was uniquely prepared to be the prophet at this time. I also think that Sister Nelson has been prepared to be his wife at this time. They are a powerhouse couple!
Completely sustain and follow his direction I think it was Elder Ballard that has commented in regional conferences that we have not "completely" followed the direction to stop having missionary farewells. I think he means "completely" for a reason. Hearken to ALL of the direction we hear.
After resurrection, Christ said, “Peace be unto you as my Father has sent me even so send I you" Two-fold action -
God sends His Son, the Son sends His servants - us
Not perfect, yet still support and sustain each other with real real, sincere faith in the Savior who are called to do "a great work" Perhaps the Savior first said "peace be unto you" was because he knew of the mortal flaws of men. Instead of getting worked up over whether the church is true because of the mistakes of men, be at peace, because He is in charge and He knows He's only got mortals to work with. It will all work out!
Mustard seed – (it is surprisingly small) faith as a grain can move mountains; nothing impossible to you- Lord can help us remove the mountains of discouragement and doubt in the tasks ahead of us as exercise real faith in Christ We have have happiness, love, joy, hope, etc even with the smallest amount of real faith in Christ! This is significant. We need to BELIEVE that it only takes a "surprisingly small" amount of faith to do seemingly impossible things! Discouragement and doubt block the believing part of faith which leads to the acting part of faith which produces the power part of faith. Alma said we need to exercise even a particle of faith and that it would work in us and swell and grow. We have "tasks" ahead of us that will require faith because they will look impossible. Joy and happiness and love come when we see what real faith can do, even in the midst of great evil.
Be not discouraged; do all things through Christ – knowing this is a gift of God Study the gifts of God and learn how to pray for them and qualify for them, recognize them and receive them!
Gift of the Sabbath Day, Sacrament, service to others, and the Savior Do we see these as "gifts"? Or are they routine, a burden, restrictive, or lacking in power? If they are, then we haven't really received them as gifts.
The power of the Sabbath – power to experience at church and at home the delight, joy, warmth of feeling the Spirit of the Lord without any kind of distraction. This is why we turn off and turn away from the routines of the week and the world. So we can feel without distraction and experience power. Pray to know what that is so that you can testify to others of the difference with and without the power of the Sabbath.
Too many allow themselves to almost live online, Earplugs blocking out the still small voice of the Spirit Find time to unplug so you can hear. When you are plugged in, you aren't even aware of those trying to get your attention.
Be still and know that I am God. be wise Be still. Can you handle being still? With the internet and our phones we don't have to really "be" anywhere we don't want to be for even 10 sec. We can tune out and go anywhere in the world virtually in seconds. We aren't even given a chance to practice being still. No wonder our minds won't shut off at night when we try to sleep. We're programming them to keep going throughout our waking day.
Do not let the Sacrament become routine. Only 70 min in whole week. It's a sign by us to the Lord that we do always remember Him and His atonement. Put it in perspective. The Lord is asking for so very little of your time and attention, and at the same time He asks you to remember Him always. Perhaps the "only 70 min" comment is for a consecrated and focused effort, a sacred and sanctifying effort...
Service – Our voices essential today, church, school, city, country. Duty to vote for honorable men/women willing to serve. Think "silent majority". We will be held accountable for our sins of omission.
Service opens window by which we understand the life of Jesus Christ. Came to serve and to minister. If any man will know my will he will do my
Jesus “went about doing good”. And so must we!
We talk, rejoice, preach, prophesy, write of Christ. that our children may know...
Keep Christ the center of our lives at all times and in all places. All things are in His name! (church, baptism, confirmation, etc...)
ALWAYS remember Him. It's time to really live our religion! and do what we profess to do.
Christ is supreme, the righteous judge, advocate, Redeemer, shepherd, promised messiah, true friend... Our invitation is to know Him in all these ways! - Precious gift from our Father
Some activities must always be at the heart of our membership – succor the weak, lift of the hands that hang down, strengthen the feeble knees – Pure religion (spiritual and temporal need) requires we visit and assist others. This was preparation for the changes that were announced. We must do this in times of peace AND in adversity. It will come soon out of need, but the greater blessings will come if we do it first out of choice and pure love.
Treasure your membership and the many precious gifts of God. The world will ask you to toss it aside and mock it, but do not heed them. Where will you find another treasure so precious? No where! They certainly cannot offer you anything in exchange.
Be filled with love for others, see and meet needs and answer questions in clear and kind ways. You have to know the answers to be clear in your answers. Study.
What will be taught comes by inspiration. Do not see it as the workings of mortals. This is the Lord's will! Act in faith!

Summary:

A new clock has started - Today until the coming of the Lord!
Love, serve, and know the Master by following His example.
Receive and treasure the gift and power of the Sabbath Day and the Lord Jesus Christ
Practice pure religion, undefiled....out of love for and with faith in Christ.
Believe that Christ is at the helm of this church and speaks to His prophet.
Believe in the power of even the smallest particle of faith in Christ.

Sunday, March 11, 2018

That Your Joy Might Be Full - Jean B, Bingham

Jesus Christ is the source of all healing, peace, and eternal progress.

Brothers and sisters, it is a joy to be with you. And that’s what I would like to talk with you about this morning—having a fulness of joy.This expressions a "fullness" of joy is one to be studied. It's different than just a feeling of joy.

A recent news headline reads, “Disasters rock the nation [and] world.”1 From hurricanes and floods to heat waves and droughts, from wildfires and earthquakes to wars and devastating diseases, it seems “the whole earth [is] in commotion.”2

Millions of people have been displaced, and countless lives have been disrupted by these challenges. Contention in families and communities as well as inner struggles with fear, doubt, and unfulfilled expectations also leave us in turmoil. It can be difficult to feel the joy that Lehi taught is the purpose of life.3 We have all asked at times: “Where can I turn for peace? Where is my solace … ?”4 We all ask this question when we are in turmoil. Why? We know the answer! We wonder, how do I find joy despite the difficulties of mortal life? We often believe the lie that we cannot "feel" joy IN difficulties; maybe after, but not during...

The answer may seem too simple, Satan wants us to think the answer is too hard but it has proven true from the days of Adam. Lasting joy as opposed to the world's temporary and fleeting "pleasure", which is a counterfeit to true inner joy and peace is found in focusing on our Savior, Jesus Christ, and living the gospel as demonstrated and taught by Him. The more we learn about, have faith in, and emulate Jesus Christ, the more we come to understand that He is the source of all healing, peace, and eternal progress. He invites each of us to come unto Him,5 an invitation that President Henry B. Eyring has characterized as “the most important invitation anyone could accept.”6 Focus, Act, Learn, Emulate

Learn of Jesus Christ

How do we come unto Him? Last April, President Russell M. Nelson and Elder M. Russell Ballard encouraged us to study “The Living Christ”7 as part of learning about the Savior. Many have accepted the challenge and been blessed. Not long ago a dear friend gave each of her adult children copies of the document with gospel pictures to illustrate each phrase. She encouraged her children to help her grandchildren understand and memorize it. Sometime later my friend shared a video of her six-year-old granddaughter, Laynie, reciting her memorized version with enthusiasm and poise. I realized that if a six-year-old could do it, so can I! This has been mentioned/taught enough times that we should all do this. We all can!

As I have studied the life and teachings of Jesus Christ with more focus and committed “The Living Christ” to memory, my gratitude and love for our Savior have increased. Each sentence of that inspired document contains a sermon and has enhanced my understanding of His divine roles and earthly mission. What I have learned and felt through this period of study and reflection confirms that Jesus truly “is the light, the life, and the hope of the world.”8 Ancient scripture and latter-day prophets’ words written or spoken in praise of Him bear witness that “His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come.”9Study and memorize "The Living Christ", focus as you study/reflect. RESULTS: gratitude and love for the Savior will increase! Why? His way IS the path to a fullness of joy - forever!!

Have Faith in Jesus Christ

As you study Christ’s life and teachings in a myriad of ways, memorizing "The Living Christ" is one of those "myriad of ways" your faith in Him will increase. You will come to know that He loves you individually and understands you perfectly. In His 33 years of mortality, He suffered rejection; persecution; bodily hunger, thirst, and fatigue;10 loneliness; verbal and physical abuse; and finally, an excruciating death at the hands of sinful men.11 In the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross of Calvary, He felt all of our pains, afflictions, temptations, sicknesses, and infirmities.12 What you will know: He loves you and understands you perfectly

No matter what we have suffered, He is the source of healing. No other way/source Those who have experienced any manner of abuse, devastating loss, chronic illness or disabling affliction, untrue accusations, vicious persecution, or spiritual damage from sin or misunderstandings can all be made whole by the Redeemer of the world. However, He will not enter without invitation. We must come unto Him and allow Him to work His miracles. Agency is sooo important. Christ honors it, Satan does not. We must move towards Him and then ALLOW Him to work His miracles. How do we come, but then not allow? Are we impatient? Do we want it to be done in our time and way?

One beautiful spring day I left the door open to enjoy the fresh air. A small bird flew in the open door and then realized this was not where it wanted to be. It flew desperately around the room, repeatedly flying into the window glass in an attempt to escape. I tried to gently guide it toward the open door, but it was frightened and kept darting away. It finally landed on top of the window drapes in bewildered exhaustion. I took a broom and slowly reached the bristle end up to where the bird nervously perched. As I held the head of the broom next to its feet, the bird tentatively stepped onto the bristles. Slowly, very slowly, I walked to the open door, holding the broom as steady as I could. As soon as we reached the open door, the bird swiftly flew to freedom.

Like that bird, sometimes we are afraid to trust becauseWhy don't we trust? we don’t understand God’s absoluteWe feel it's conditional love and desire He not only "can" help us he "wants" to help us. But when we study Heavenly Father’s plan and Jesus Christ’s mission, we understand that Their only objective is our eternal happiness and progress.13 They delight to help us when we ask, seek, and knock.14When we exercise faith and humbly open ourselves to Their answers, we become free from the constraints of our misunderstandings and assumptions, and we can be shown the way forward. We have to study, ask, seek and knock; exercise faith (act) and be open to the answers.

Jesus Christ is also the source of peace. He invites us to “lean on [His] ample arm”15and promises the “peace … which passeth all understanding,”16 a feeling that comes when His Spirit “speak[s] peace to our souls”17 no matter what challenges surround us. Whether they are personal struggles, family troubles, or community crises, peace will come as we trust that God’s Only Begotten Son has power to soothe our aching souls. He comforts with truth!

Snježana Podvinski, one of a small number of Saints in Karlovac, Croatia, leaned on the Savior when her husband and both of her parents died within a six-month period last year. Grief-stricken, but having a testimony that families are forever, she used all of her savings to travel to the temple, where she was sealed to her husband and parents. She shared that those days in the temple were a highlight in her life. Because of her firm testimony of Jesus Christ and His Atonement, she has felt peace and experienced healing that have also been a strength to those around her.

Faith in Jesus Christ brings even more gifts than healing and peace. As President Henry B. Eyring shared: “I have been thankful for the many ways the Lord has visited me with the Comforter when I needed peace. Yet our Father in Heaven is concerned not just about our comfort but even more about our upward progress.”18

Because of Jesus Christ’s Atonement, which includes the gifts of redemption and resurrection, we are able to repent, change, and progress eternally. Because of the power He gives us as we are obedient, we are able to become more than we ever could on our own. We may not understand completely how, but each of us who has felt faith in Christ increase has also received a greater understanding of our divine identity and purpose, leading us to make choices that are consistent with that knowledge.

Despite a world that will try to knock us down to the level of “mere animals,”19knowing that God is our Father assures us that we have divine potential and royal promise. Despite a world that tells us this life is a dead end, knowing that God’s Only Begotten Son has made it possible for us to be redeemed and resurrected gives us hope for eternal progress.

Emulate Jesus Christ

As we learn more about Jesus Christ, we develop greater faith in Him and we naturally want to follow His example. Keeping His commandments becomes our greatest desire. Our hearts yearn to relieve others’ suffering, as He did, and we want them to experience the peace and happiness we have found. A good measuring tool for our progress is if we "naturally" want to keep the commandments and if we "yearn" to relieve others' suffering so they can have peace and happiness.

Why is trying to do as He did so powerful? Notice you just have to "try" to access His power! Because when we put our faith into action, the Holy Ghost bears witness of eternal truth.20 See, truth is power! Jesus instructs His disciples to keep His commandments because He knows that as we follow His example, we will begin to experience joy, and as we continue on His path, we will come to a fulness of joy. Remember there's a difference! He explained, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, one key difference there and that your joy might be full.”21

Are our testimonies built on the bedrock foundation of Jesus Christ and His gospel? Helaman 5:12 When the storms of life press upon us, do we frantically look for a how-to book or an internet post for help? Taking the time to build and strengthen our knowledge and testimony of Jesus Christ will yield rich dividends in times of trial and adversity. Daily reading of scriptures and pondering the words of living prophets, engaging in meaningful personal prayer, mindfully partaking of the sacrament each week, giving service as the Savior would—each of these simple activities becomes a building block for a joyful life. Time, daily, ponder, engage, pray, be mindful, don't ignore the simple, serve

What brings you joy? The sight of your loved ones at the end of a long day? The satisfaction of a job done well? The light in someone’s eyes when you share their burden? The words of a hymn that reaches deep into your heart? The handclasp of a close friend? Take a private moment to reflect on your blessings, and then find ways to share them. As you reach out to serve and lift your brothers and sisters within your neighborhood or throughout this world that is in so much commotion, you will feel greater peace and healing and even progress.

Come unto Him. I testify that as you center your life on Jesus Christ, you will find joy in your circumstances, whatever they may be. Indeed, “He, only One,”22 is the answer. Make time and take time to come to know Jesus Christ through studying diligently, developing greater faith in Him, and striving to become ever more like Him. As we do so, we too will be moved to say, with little Laynie, “God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.”23 In the blessed and sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

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Sunday, February 18, 2018

Elder Bednar - Exceeding Great and Precious Promises

Talk

Heavenly Father’s great plan of happiness includes the doctrine, the ordinances, the covenants, and the exceeding great and precious promises (this phrase is printed/used 16 times in this talk!) whereby we can become partakers of the divine nature.

One of the great challenges each of us faces every day is to not allow the concerns of this world to so dominate our time and energy that we neglect the eternal things that matter most.1 We can be too easily diverted from remembering and focusing upon essential spiritual priorities because of our many responsibilities and busy schedules. Sometimes we try to run so fast that we may forget where we are going and why we are running.

The Apostle Peter reminds us that for disciples of Jesus Christ, “his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Is this what the "call to glory and virtue" sounds like? "Citius, Altius, Fortius" means "swifter, higher, stronger". Is this not the race I am being called to run? God is "hastening is work" (swifter); asking me to lift my life above the world (higher); challenging me to build my faith and testimony and conversion (stronger).

“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

My message emphasizes the importance of the exceeding great and precious promises described by Peter as true reminders of where we are going in our mortal journey and why. I also will discuss the respective roles of the Sabbath day, the holy temple, and our homes in helping us to remember these important spiritual promises.

I earnestly pray that the Holy Ghost will instruct each of us as we consider together these important truths.

Our Divine Identity

Our Heavenly Father’s great plan of happiness includes the doctrine, the ordinances, the covenants, and the exceeding great and precious promises whereby we can become partakers of the divine nature. His plan defines our eternal identity and the pathway we must follow to learn, change, grow, and ultimately dwell with Him forever.

As explained in “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”:

“All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. …

“In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life.”3

God promises His children that if they follow the precepts of His plan and the example of His Beloved Son, keep the commandments, and endure in faith to the end, then by virtue of the Savior’s Redemption, they “shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.”4 Eternal life is the ultimate exceeding great and precious promise.

Spiritual Rebirth

We comprehend more fully the exceeding great and precious promises and begin to partake of the divine nature by responding affirmatively to the call from the Lord to glory and virtue. As described by Peter, this call is fulfilled by striving to escape the corruption that is in the world.

As we press forward submissively with faith in the Savior, then because of His Atonement and by the power of the Holy Ghost, “a mighty change [takes place] in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.”5 We are “born again; yea, born of God, changed from [our] carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God.”6 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”7

Such a comprehensive change in our nature typically does not occur quickly or all at once. Like the Savior, we also receive “not of the fulness at the first, but [receive] grace for grace.”8 “For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom.”9

Priesthood ordinances and sacred covenants are essential in this ongoing process of spiritual rebirth; they also are the means God has appointed whereby we receive His exceeding great and precious promises. Ordinances that are received worthily and remembered continually open the heavenly channels through which the power of godliness can flow into our lives. Covenants that are honored steadfastly and remembered always provide purpose and the assurance of blessings in both mortality and for eternity.

For example, God promises us, according to our faithfulness, the constant companionship of the third member of the Godhead, even the Holy Ghost,10 that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can receive and always retain a remission of our sins,11 that we can receive peace in this world,12 that the Savior has broken the bands of death and was victorious over the grave,13 and that families can be together for all eternity.

Understandably, all of the exceeding great and precious promises Heavenly Father offers to His children cannot be counted or described comprehensively. However, even the partial list of promised blessings I just presented should cause each of us to “stand all amazed”14 and “fall down and worship the Father”15 in the name of Jesus Christ.

Remembering the Promises

President Lorenzo Snow warned, “We are too apt to forget the great object of life, the motive of our Heavenly Father in sending us here to put on mortality, as well as the holy calling with which we have been called; and hence, instead of rising above the little transitory things … , we too often allow ourselves to come down to the level of the world without availing ourselves of the divine help which God has instituted, which alone can enable us to overcome [those transitory things].”16

The Sabbath day and the holy temple are two specific sources of divine help instituted by God to assist us in rising above the level and corruption of the world. We initially may think that the overarching purposes of keeping the Sabbath day holy and attending the temple are related but distinctive. I believe, however, that those two purposes are precisely the same and work together to strengthen us spiritually as individuals and in our homes.

The Sabbath
After God created all things, He rested on the seventh day and commanded that one day each week be a time of rest to help people remember Him.17 The Sabbath is God’s time, a sacred time specifically set apart for worshipping Him and for receiving and remembering His great and precious promises.

The Lord has directed in this dispensation:

“That thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day;

“For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High.”18

Thus, on the Sabbath we worship the Father in the name of the Son by participating in ordinances and learning about, receiving, remembering, and renewing covenants. On His holy day, our thoughts, actions, and demeanor are signs we give to God and an indicator of our love for Him.19

An additional purpose of the Sabbath is to elevate our vision from the things of the world to the blessings of eternity. Removed during this sacred time from many of the regular routines of our busy lives, we can “look to God and live”20 by receiving and remembering the great and precious promises whereby we become partakers of the divine nature.

The Holy Temple

The Lord always has commanded His people to build temples, holy places in which worthy Saints perform sacred gospel ceremonies and ordinances for themselves and for the dead. Temples are the most holy of all places of worship. A temple literally is the house of the Lord, a sacred space specifically set apart for worshipping God and for receiving and remembering His great and precious promises.

The Lord has directed in this dispensation, “Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.”21 The principal focus of temple worship is participating in ordinances and learning about, receiving, and remembering covenants. We think, act, and dress differently in the temple than in other spaces that we may frequent.

A principal purpose of the temple is to elevate our vision from the things of the world to the blessings of eternity. Removed for a short time from the worldly settings with which we are familiar, we can “look to God and live”22 by receiving and remembering the great and precious promises whereby we become partakers of the divine nature.

Please note that the Sabbath day and the temple, respectively, are a sacred time and a sacred space specifically set apart for worshipping God and for receiving and remembering His exceeding great and precious promises to His children. As instituted by God,the principal purposes of these two divine sources of help are exactly the same: to powerfully and repeatedly focus our attention upon our Heavenly Father, His Only Begotten Son, the Holy Ghost, and the promises associated with the ordinances and covenants of the Savior’s restored gospel.

Our Homes

Importantly, a home should be the ultimate combination of time and space wherein individuals and families remember most effectively God’s great and precious promises. Leaving our homes to spend time in Sunday meetings and to enter the sacred space of a temple is vital but insufficient. Only as we bring the spirit and strength derived from those holy activities back with us into our homes can we sustain our focus upon the great purposes of mortal life and overcome the corruption that is in the world. Our Sabbath and temple experiences should be spiritual catalysts that imbue individuals and families and our homes with continual reminders of key lessons learned, with the presence and power of the Holy Ghost, with ongoing and deepening conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ, and with “a perfect brightness of hope”23 in God’s eternal promises.

The Sabbath and the temple can help us to establish in our homes “a more excellent way”24 as we “gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.”25 What we do in our homes with His sacred time and with what we learn in His sacred space is pivotal to becoming partakers of the divine nature.

PROMISE AND TESTIMONY

We easily can be overcome by the routine and mundane matters of mortality. Sleeping, eating, dressing, working, playing, exercising, and many other customary activities are necessary and important. But ultimately, what we become is the result of our knowledge of and willingness to learn from the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; it is not merely the sum total of our daily pursuits over the course of a lifetime.

The gospel is so much more than a routine checklist of discrete tasks to be performed; rather, it is a magnificent tapestry of truth “fitly framed”26 and woven together, designed to help us become like our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, even partakers of the divine nature. Truly, we are blinded “by looking beyond the mark”27 when this overarching spiritual reality is overshadowed by the cares, concerns, and casualness of the world.

As we are wise and invite the Holy Spirit to be our guide,28 I promise He will teach us what is true. “He will testify of Christ, [and] light our minds with heaven’s view”29 as we strive to fulfill our eternal destiny and become partakers of the divine nature.

I bear my witness that the exceeding great and precious promises associated with our ordinances and covenants are sure. The Lord has so declared:

“I give unto you directions how you may act before me, that it may turn to you for your salvation.

“I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.”30

I witness that our Heavenly Father lives and is the author of the plan of salvation. Jesus Christ is His Only Begotten Son, our Savior and Redeemer. He lives. And I testify that the Father’s plan and promises, the Savior’s Atonement, and the companionship of the Holy Ghost make possible “peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.”31 Of these things I testify in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.

Warnings to check myself on!

concerns of the world dominating my time and energy
Neglecting eternal things that matter most
Too easily diverted from remembering and focusing on essential spiritual priorities
Run so fast that I forget where I am going and why I am running
routine and mundane matters (sleeping, eating, dressing, working, playing, exercising, and many other customary activities) of life easily overcoming me
forgetting the great object of life
forgetting why Heavenly Father wanted to send me here
forgetting the holy calling with which I have been called
allowing myself to go down to the level of the world
letting the cares, concerns and casualness of the world blind me to the truth!

Solutions:

1 D&C 25:10 10 And verily I say unto thee that thou shalt lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better.
accept the divine help God instituted- the Sabbath day and the holy temple, which ALONE can enable me to rise above the world
Remember: The gospel is a magnificent tapestry of truth, not a routine checklist, specifically designed to help me become like my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ - which IS partaking of the divine nature
This is the OVERARCHING SPIRITUAL REALITY of the gospel

Our Divine Identity

I have a divine nature and destiny
I am a spirit child of God.
I accepted His plan to come to earth to gain a physical body and have earthly experience where I progress toward perfection and ultimately inherit eternal life - which is the ULTIMATE 'exceeding great and precious promise."

Spiritual Rebirth

Respond to the 'call to glory and virtue' by striving to escape the corruption that is in the world
Press forward, submissively, with faith in the Savior until, line upon line, grace for grace, I am changed from my carnal fallen state; born again

Remembering the Promises

The Sabbath day and the temple work together to strengthen me spiritually both individually and in my home

The Sabbath

God himself rested on the seventh day
He commands I rest once a week to help me remember Him
The Sabbath is His sacred time, specifically set apart for worshipping God and receiving and remembering His promises
To keep myself unspotted from the world I am to:

go to church
offer up my sacraments (participate in the Sacrament)
pay my devotions
learn about my covenants
receive, remember and renew my covenants
indicate my love for God by my thoughts, actions and demeanor
elevate my vision to the things of eternity
remove myself from the regular routine of everyday life
"look to God and live"

As I do these things I become a partaker of the divine nature as I receive and remember the 'exceeding great and precious promises'

The Holy Temple

The temple is the house of the Lord, which makes it a sacred space and the most holy of all places of worship
It is specifically set apart for worshipping God and receiving and remembering His promises
It is a house of prayer, fasting, faith, learning, glory, and order
The principle focus there is to participate in ordinances and learn about, receive and remember covenants.
I think, act, and dress differently there
A principle purpose there is to elevate my vision to the blessings of eternity
I am removed for a short time from the world
I "look to God and live"
As I do these things I become a partaker of the divine nature as I receive and remember the 'exceeding great and precious promises'

The Sacred Time of the Sabbath and the Sacred Space of the Holy Temple are both SPECIFICALLY set apart for worshiping and receiving and remembering His 'exceeding great and precious promises'.

These two DIVINE sources of help, instituted by God have the same purpose - to POWERFULLY and REPEATEDLY focus my attention upon my Heavenly Father, His Only Begotten Son, the Holy Ghost, and the PROMISES associated with the ordinances and covenants of the Savior’s restored gospel.

Our Homes

MY Home - IMPORTANT!!!

The ultimate combination of time and space where I remember most effectively God's promises
Must bring the spirit and strength received at church and in the temple to sustain my focus on the purpose of life and overcome the corruption in the world
Sabbath and Temple experiences should be spiritual catalysts
They provide continual reminders of key lessons learned
I should feel the power and presence of the Holy Ghost
They should inspire me with ongoing and deepening conversion to Christ
They provide me with a 'perfect brightness of hope' in God's eternal promises
They help me establish a 'more excellent way' in my homes by gathering together in one, all things in Christ - both the things of heaven and earth
To become 'partakers of the divine nature' it is CRITICALLY IMPORTANT what I do in my home on the Sabbath and what I learn in the temple

Promise and Testimony

Ultimately, what I become is the result of:

my knowledge of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost
my willingness to learn from the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost

IMPORTANT TRUTHS:

My goal is to escape the corruption that is in the world and partake of
the divine nature by receiving these 'exceeding great and precious
promises.
Priesthood ordinances and sacred covenants are the essential means for receiving these 'promises'
These promises are TRUE reminders of where I am going and why.
The Sabbath day, the holy temple and my home should help me remember these important promises.

PROMISES:

follow the Plan; follow the Savior; keep the commandments; endure in faith to the end THEN, I shall have eternal life by virtue of the Savior's Redemption.
Be wise and invite the Holy Spirit to be my guide and He will teach me what is true
strive to fulfill my eternal destiny and become like my Heavenly Father and His Son and the Holy Spirit will testify of Christ, and light my mind with heaven's view
the promises associated with my ordinances and covenants are sure
these directions on how to act (as given through our ordinances and covenants) are for my salvation
if I do not follow them - I HAVE NO PROMISES
I can have peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come if I follow the Father's Plan through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the companionship of the Holy Ghost
ordinances that are received worthily and remembered continually open the heavenly channels through which the power of godliness can flow into my life.
covenants that are honored steadfastly and remembered always provide purpose and the assurance of blessings in both mortality and for eternity.
according to my faithfulness, I can receive and always retain a remission of my sins through the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost and through the Atonement of Jesus Christ
I can have peace
I can be victorious over the grave, through Christ
I can be with my family forever

These promises should cause me to 'Stand all amazed' and fall down and worship the Father in the name of Christ.

May we be persuaded as in Hebrews 11:13 "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."